Varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy are a common pathology, affecting about 20% of all women expecting a baby.
The disease causes physiological and psychological discomfort, since in the later stages the condition of the genital organs worsens, the woman feels severe pain, and the perineum itself does not have an aesthetic appearance. Fears and anxiety about the course of pregnancy and childbirth are added.
During pregnancy, women gain excess weight, the load on the lower limbs and perineum increases as the volume of circulating blood increases. The walls of blood vessels cannot cope with the loads, they become less elastic. As a result, varicose veins develop.
The symptoms are as follows:
During pregnancy, women experience aggravation of all chronic diseases as the body weakens. This is because the immune system in a normal (unsuppressed) state will push the fetus out of the body.
Varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy develop for the following reasons:
Varicose veins of the labia are affected by hereditary predisposition, poor nutrition, and work habits (during a long stay in a standing position).
When the first signs appear, you need to go to an appointment with a gynecologist. He will conduct an examination, examine the vagina and mucous membranes using a special mirror.
To confirm the analysis, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, which will assess the condition of the venous system. If necessary, an examination by a phlebologist is necessary. Also, expectant mothers will have to undergo a general blood test to determine the prothrombin index and do a Doppler ultrasound.
Varicose veins of the genital organs require treatment. It is carried out in two ways: conservative and medicinal. In the initial stages, doctors resort to the first method. If all recommendations are followed, the condition of pregnant women remains normal during all three trimesters.
The rules include the following:
Following the recommendations will help improve the woman’s condition and contribute to the normal course of pregnancy. You can completely recover from varicose veins of the labia only after childbirth.
Compression garments are worn according to strict rules: they are not removed throughout the day, they are put on in the morning before getting out of bed, and they are washed daily.
In more advanced stages of the disease, doctors resort to other methods of therapy. They involve taking venotonic drugs. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Phlebodia and Detralex. It is also possible to use gels and creams for topical application. They are rubbed into the affected areas.
If varicose veins of the labia of pregnant women continue to progress, despite all precautions, then phlebologists resort to microfoam sclerotherapy. This is an effective and painless method. It is safe for expectant mothers.
A medicine that looks like foam is injected into the affected and swollen areas of the mucous membrane. The remedy narrows the diseased vessel, allowing blood to flow through healthy vessels. After which the affected area of the groin area is compressed for several minutes. This method helps improve the condition of varicose veins.
If the pathology does not go away after childbirth, then surgeons resort to surgical methods for treating varicose veins of the labia: phlebectomy (pulling out a blood clot using a probe), radiofrequency coagulation (destruction of diseased veins) or laser coagulation (treatment of diseased veins using a laser beam).
Women with varicose veins are always interested in the question: how does childbirth proceed with varicose veins? If pregnant women have an initial stage of the disease, then this condition is not a contraindication to having a baby naturally.
A skilled and experienced obstetrician-gynecologist will prevent any complications. The only possible danger is vein rupture and bleeding. In this case, the doctor sews up the vein and the blood flow is normalized.
At 38-39 weeks, pregnant women can be admitted to the maternity hospital for prenatal hospitalization. This will allow expectant mothers to monitor their condition. If varicose veins of the labia progresses, then women are advised to have a cesarean section.
Varicose veins of the perineum and childbirth are two natural factors that obstetricians-gynecologists encounter. The main thing is to trust the doctor and follow all his recommendations.
Pregnancy is one of the most significant events in a woman's life. But expectant mothers often experience worsening chronic illnesses and a deterioration in their overall health. Every fifth pregnant woman experiences varicose veins of the labia. Stars and bumps appear on the perineum, it swells.
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In addition, expectant mothers experience severe pain. Usually the disease goes away after childbirth. In the initial stages, conservative treatment is recommended; as the disease progresses, doctors resort to drug therapy.
Varicose veins, except for the most severe stages, are in no case a contraindication for pregnancy.
Varicose veins are caused by faulty venous valves and weakness of the venous walls, causing the veins to appear enlarged and swollen. Varicose veins are widespread during pregnancy, especially in women with a hereditary predisposition. Varicose veins during pregnancy usually develop on the legs, but varicose veins can also appear on the external genitalia. Although varicose veins are often only a cosmetic issue, varicose veins can become painful during pregnancy. If you already have signs of varicose veins or are predisposed to it, consult a phlebologist. The risk of complications from varicose veins also increases with the length of pregnancy. Thrombophlebitis (one of the complications of varicose veins) during childbirth or in the postpartum period, unfortunately, is a common occurrence and can create a life-threatening situation for the mother and fetus.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, and the growing uterus puts great pressure on the veins through which blood returns from the legs, thereby creating difficulties for the venous outflow of blood from the legs. The additional weight of a woman, including that caused by multiple pregnancies, creates even greater stress on the deep veins of the legs. This additional load on the deep veins of the legs can lead to dilation and swelling of the superficial veins in the legs, while they stretch both in length and width. In case of a hereditary predisposition to the occurrence of varicose veins in pregnant women, preventive and therapeutic measures should be used that are safe during pregnancy.
Firstly, during pregnancy it is necessary to avoid prolonged standing or sitting. It is necessary to rest as much and often as possible while lying on your side. This relieves pressure from the pelvic veins and leg veins, which allows blood flow to normalize.
Secondly, raise your legs as often as possible while sitting or lying down. At the same time, earth's gravity helps return blood from the legs.
Thirdly, to prevent the progression of varicose veins during pregnancy, you should wear therapeutic compression stockings. Specially designed compression stockings are designed to help prevent venous blood from draining from the deep veins into the superficial veins in the legs and causing them to become overstretched. Compression stockings are available in specialized medical supply stores with a doctor's prescription, or a store employee can use a special table to select compression stockings of the right size. When wearing compression hosiery, blood is redistributed to unaffected venous vessels. In addition, stockings compress not only the dilated superficial veins, but also the deeper veins of the legs, blood flow in small vessels improves, and the nutrition of the skin and subcutaneous tissue is normalized. In all cases, compression significantly reduces the blood's ability to form clots. This is the principle of the effect of compression stockings on the veins of the legs, while the pressure with which the product will compress the ankle area is standardized by class and is equally accepted in developed countries. The pressure of the stockings will normally decrease from bottom to top of the leg, this is necessary to improve blood flow back to the heart. Compression products - stockings, knee socks, tights must be worn throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period for 6-8 weeks.
Fourthly, during pregnancy and varicose veins, you should exercise regularly to improve blood circulation. Even if you didn't exercise before pregnancy, pay attention to simple exercises that will improve blood flow in your veins. Dosed, light physical activity under the supervision of your doctor will help you maintain good physical shape and prevent the progression of varicose veins.
Only in severe cases of varicose veins during pregnancy, a justified way to treat such a condition is surgery or the introduction of medications into varicose veins during pregnancy.
In case of varicose veins, the birth itself must be accompanied by compliance with measures to prevent the progression of varicose veins, namely, special compression stockings should be worn on the legs. During childbirth and the postpartum period, wearing special antithromboembolic stockings is a prevention of thrombosis. Modern high-quality medical knitwear is practically indistinguishable from ordinary tights and stockings and retains its properties for about six months with daily wear.
It should be remembered that after pregnancy, varicose veins do not always return to their previous size.
If you have varicose veins, it is advisable to see a phlebologist throughout your pregnancy.
Having discovered simple patterns on her legs: blue “mesh” and pale purple “stars”, incomprehensible “bumps” in intimate places - the expectant mother is lost and does not know what it is and how dangerous it is in her situation? No need to be scared! It’s just that the veins in your body are weak in some places.
“Where it is thin, it breaks,” this is exactly what can be said about varicose veins during pregnancy, the noticeable signs of which are those “stars, mesh and lumps” on the legs and genitals.
Today on the “Beautiful and Successful” website we will try to understand the main issues:
Our entire body is riddled with veins. Blood moves through them towards the heart. Helps the flow of vein walls that contain muscle fibers. Large veins are connected to each other by valves that prevent blood from flowing back.
Varicose veins during pregnancy can be seen on the legs, genitals and anus. Hemorrhoids are nothing more than varicose veins.
What affects veins during pregnancy?
The walls of the veins become less elastic. This occurs due to the fact that the amount of relaxin in the body begins to increase. This substance prepares the muscles of the uterus for childbirth - relaxes it.
But relaxin acts not only on the walls of the uterus, but also on other organs containing muscle fibers. The walls of veins also fall under its influence. The muscle fibers of the walls of the veins, under the influence of relaxin, also become thinner, wriggle, stretch, and no longer hold their shape.
As a result of such changes, the blood stops moving upward (the muscle fibers of the vein work poorly), begins to stagnate, and the veins begin to rupture. On the legs we see subcutaneous ruptures of blood vessels in which the blood has stagnated and the walls have burst.
Thus, varicose veins during pregnancy in the legs are formed due to stagnation of blood in the veins, which cannot withstand its pressure and burst.
Varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy occur due to the fact that the enlarging uterus begins to put pressure on the veins. It compresses the veins, the blood stops moving - lumps in the form of lumps appear in the labia area, the veins turn blue and enlarge, enlarge and begin to protrude above the skin.
A pregnant woman feels pain in the perineum, which can be very strong, as well as discomfort during sexual intercourse and walking.
Another reason for the appearance of varicose veins on the labia and groin is the low location of the placenta, which also affects blood flow in the veins. From the placenta through the umbilical vein, fetal blood enters the venous flow, which moves to the vena cava. If the placenta is low, the umbilical vein may be compressed, which impairs blood flow.
Varicose veins of the labia form during pregnancy.
It should also be taken into account that during pregnancy it becomes more difficult for veins to perform their tasks due to the increased volume of blood in the body that needs to be pumped. The load on the veins increases, which can also become one of the causes of varicose veins during pregnancy.
Heredity, long periods of standing while standing, and sedentary work also predispose people to this disease.
There are simple and complicated forms of varicose veins.
To clarify the diagnosis, the pregnant woman is examined by a vascular surgeon and a gynecologist, who, if necessary, can refer the woman to an ultrasound scan of the veins or Dopplerometry.
Diagnostics helps to find out at what speed the blood moves in the veins, whether there is a disturbance in the blood flow; if there are disturbances, then the degree of danger is determined - are the deep veins affected by varicose veins?
20–50% of women first encounter varicose veins during pregnancy, and in 5–10% of cases the problem spreads to intimate areas.
Treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy in most cases is carried out using a conservative method. The doctor may prescribe medications that thin the blood, tone and nourish the walls of the veins, prevent blood clots from sticking together, and relieve swelling. This could be troxevasin, aescusan, shlivenol. They are produced in the form of gels, tablets and creams.
Only a doctor selects and prescribes treatment for varicose veins, taking into account the duration of pregnancy, the composition of the drug and the condition of the veins.
Injections of drugs into the convex vein to thin the blood - sclerotherapy - and surgery are performed only in extreme cases.
How to give birth with varicose veins - whether to do a cesarean section or give birth yourself - is decided by a gynecologist and a vascular surgeon who assesses the condition of the pregnant woman.
The first changes in the expansion of veins in the legs can be noticed in the area of the lower leg and thighs - the veins in these places become elastic, and a feeling appears as if something is crawling on the skin. Then heaviness and swelling in the legs, rapid fatigue, tingling and a burning sensation in the ankle appear. The veins begin to swell and protrude above the skin - all these are symptoms of varicose veins on the legs of a simple form.
Before obvious signs of varicose veins appear on the genitals - swollen veins and small nodules - a woman may notice swelling of the labia and feel pain in the groin and perineum. These sensations become aggravated during defecation, after a long stay on your feet. The nodules that appear interfere with movement and cause discomfort during sexual intercourse.
A pregnant woman with varicose veins of the genital organs is interested in the question: is natural childbirth possible with this diagnosis, or is this disease a direct indication for cesarean section?
Doctors say that varicose veins of the perineum during pregnancy are not a direct indicator for surgery, however, there are cases when a woman is sent for a caesarean section.
The choice of how to give birth with varicose veins of the genital organs depends on the size of the swollen veins and their location.
Pregnant women prone to varicose veins should take the following preventive measures:
It is important to follow the rules for wearing compression stockings:
After childbirth, varicose veins disappear: the “patterns” on the legs, as well as compacted veins in the groin, should gradually disappear. If the problem persists, consult a doctor.
Varicose veins, except for the most severe stages, are in no case a contraindication for pregnancy. However, it must be remembered that pregnancy and childbirth are one of the main factors provoking the development of varicose veins in women. Therefore, if you already have signs of varicose veins or are predisposed to it, consult a phlebologist. It is advisable to do this before your dilated veins become noticeable to others.
Varicose veins are a chronic disease and constantly progress during pregnancy. The risk of complications from varicose veins also increases with the length of pregnancy. Thrombophlebitis (one of the complications of varicose veins) during childbirth or in the postpartum period, unfortunately, is a common occurrence and can create a life-threatening situation for the mother and fetus.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman's body. The body prepares for childbirth - joint mobility increases, ligaments soften, but along with them the frame of the vein walls softens. In this state, they are easily susceptible to varicose changes. A growing uterus can put pressure on the veins in the pelvis and impede the flow of blood from the lower extremities, which increases stress on the veins.
The following can contribute to the development of varicose veins:
It is not advisable to stop playing sports or sharply reduce physical activity during pregnancy. Dosed moderate physical activity, approved by your doctor, will help maintain physical fitness and reduce the risk of varicose veins. Even if you didn't exercise before pregnancy, pay attention to simple exercises that will improve blood flow in your veins.
But the most effective, safe and reliable way to prevent and treat vein diseases during pregnancy is the use of therapeutic compression hosiery. In a situation where taking medications is undesirable, medicinal knitwear is practically the only means of prevention. Compression products - stockings, knee socks, tights must be worn throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period for 6-8 weeks. During childbirth and the postpartum period, it is also necessary to use special antithromboembolic stockings to prevent thrombosis. Modern high-quality medical knitwear is practically indistinguishable from ordinary tights and stockings and retains its properties for about six months with daily wear.
Let us repeat once again: if you have varicose veins, it is advisable to see a phlebologist throughout the entire period of pregnancy.
The occurrence of varicose veins during pregnancy is not uncommon, as the negative impact of hormonal changes in the body affects the vascular walls, which leads to a decrease in their tone.
What to do if pregnant women are diagnosed with this disease, is it possible to give birth or will a cesarean section be required, what to do after childbirth? What should be the prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy?
There are many questions, but believe me, there is no reason to seriously worry about the baby’s health. A strong nervous system, reasonable adherence to doctor’s recommendations, the use of gentle ointments for varicose veins in combination with wearing compression garments make it possible to give birth to a child without problems and after pregnancy to devote much more time and effort to this problem.
During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes significant changes, and they are not always good. Varicose veins during pregnancy are the following symptoms:
If they talk about varicose veins during pregnancy, then most often they mean varicose veins in the legs due to the fact that real symptoms of the disease can be seen on them. In fact, there are many more varieties of the disease:
Different veins are involved in the pathological process. Expectant mothers experience problems with the blood vessels of the labia, uterus, pelvis and other organs.
The danger of varicose veins during pregnancy lies not in the disease itself, but in its complications. It could be:
The number of complications will decrease if a pregnant woman does simple physical exercises: cycling, rolling from toe to heel, raising on her toes, simplified birch.
For prevention purposes, the following should also be observed:
Self-medication is unacceptable; the disease should be dealt with by a specialist - a phlebologist. Gymnastics, compression stockings and nutrition play an important role in treatment. Local medications are often prescribed: gel, ointment or cream for varicose veins. Any remedy will not work, much less a folk one, since the active substance actively penetrates the blood and this will be dangerous for the fetus.
As the disease progresses, surgery or vein sclerosis is performed. Surgeries are performed only in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
There is no need to refuse to wear special compression hosiery designed specifically for pregnant women. At the first symptoms of the disease, the doctor will recommend purchasing comfortable stockings or tights for varicose veins.
They help compress the veins, reduce congestion in the legs and significantly increase the speed of blood flow. Compression tights are used not only when varicose veins already exist during pregnancy, but also for prevention.
Special tights are worn in the morning in bed. Before this, you cannot get out of bed or put your feet down. They are worn all day and removed only before bed. If necessary, they can be removed, but re-tightened only in a horizontal position and before that you need to lie quietly for 15-20 minutes.
Varicose veins of the genital organs and small pelvis are dangerous because varicose nodes may rupture during childbirth, and then bleeding is inevitable. In the event of possible blood clots in the internal veins, the pregnant woman must undergo conservatorship, and the medical staff prepares in advance for a difficult birth. Caesarean section is not excluded.
Superficial varicose veins on the legs are mostly just cosmetic problems, but they should not be allowed to happen either, so you should only give birth in compression stockings. For childbirth, you need to prepare two pairs of them: one - during childbirth, the other - to wear after childbirth.
Two pairs because the first ones will become dirty and you won’t have time to wash them. If the problem is on one leg, then stockings are still only worn in pairs to create equal pressure in the legs.
It was said above that after childbirth, compression garments are also necessary, since there are real threats of blood clots breaking off. Don't forget this. Thorough treatment of the problem in a young mother will begin only after she stops breastfeeding and her genital area is completely restored.
While caring for a newborn, a mother should not forget about herself. How to treat? All prescriptions that took place during pregnancy must be followed after: diets, exercises, ointments.
The selection of contraceptives for varicose veins should be discussed with your doctor, since oral contraceptive pills are not allowed in moderate and severe cases of the disease. If you follow all the rules, the disease is not dangerous and, believe me, there can be no complications.
Varicose veins are usually observed on the lower extremities. But in some cases, such pathology can occur in other parts of the body.
Such diseases include varicose veins of the labia, which occur only in women, most often during pregnancy, and after the birth of a child can disappear completely.
Varicose veins of the labia usually appear in the last months of pregnancy, when a woman’s body experiences enormous stress, especially on the pelvic organs from the enlarged uterus.
The outflow of blood through the veins is disrupted, the blood stagnates, which increases pressure on the vessels. The thin and fragile walls of the veins expand due to the accumulation of blood, swell, the woman’s perineum swells, the veins thicken and bulge outward.
In addition, a pregnant woman has increased body weight and hormonal imbalances. A sedentary lifestyle and increased physical stress also increase the risk of developing varicose veins of the perineum.
Varicose veins can also appear outside of pregnancy. A nulliparous woman is at risk of this disease if she:
Prolonged exposure to heat, including a steam room or sauna, helps to dilate veins.
The disease begins with a small nodule, which gradually grows, the number of such nodules increases. Over time, the symptoms of varicose veins of the labia intensify and begin to interfere with a normal lifestyle: walking, sitting, and sexual activity.
The most common manifestations of the disease:
The pain can be very severe, intimate relationships become impossible, and after visiting the toilet and physical activity, the pain becomes more intense.
A woman feels not only physical, but also psychological discomfort, becomes depressed, irritable and nervous.
Varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy require great attention, regardless of whether they appeared before or after conception. All symptoms intensify as pregnancy progresses; the growing fetus increases pressure on the pelvic veins, increasing the risk of thrombosis and vein ruptures.
The disease is easily diagnosed by visual examination: swollen veins of the perineum and labia resemble large nodes, sometimes they are found on the mucous membranes.
The vessels are enlarged, have a bluish tint, cords and spider veins are clearly visible.
During the interview, the patient complains of itching, burning, pain and a feeling of fullness, as well as increased pain after using the toilet and exertion, the impossibility of sexual activity, changes in character and poor sleep.
Varicose veins of the labia and cesarean section are usually considered inseparable companions. In fact, this is not always the case. Timely conservative treatment usually helps to alleviate the condition and often results in spontaneous childbirth.
First, all provoking factors should be eliminated and blood circulation in the pelvic area should be normalized: doctors recommend proper nutrition, exercise, moderate exercise, including yoga, therapeutic exercises, and visiting the pool.
When the disease first manifests itself during pregnancy, it often goes away on its own after childbirth, so you cannot immediately prescribe drug treatment; it is recommended to first try all possible non-drug methods.
Only a qualified doctor knows how to treat varicose veins on the labia, so first of all you should visit a gynecologist and consult a phlebologist.
But if the disease is advanced, all methods have proven ineffective, and the disease causes suffering to the woman, systemic and local treatment with medications should be started:
Preparations with:
Gels and ointments are quite effective, but do not have a systemic effect, so they cannot be used as the only method of treatment.
To alleviate the condition, it is necessary to do a special exercise that promotes the outflow of blood from the pelvis: the patient gets on all fours, lowers her head so that the pelvis is higher than the level of the head.
A complete cure for varicose veins is possible only after the end of pregnancy. If the disease appears outside of pregnancy, treatment should be symptomatic: antiplatelet agents, anti-inflammatory and painkillers are prescribed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat non-pregnant women to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in tissues.
Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, ointments and gels for local treatment, and in the form of tablets (Diclofenac, Meloxicam) for systemic treatment.
One of the treatment methods is sclerotherapy, in which the patient is prescribed a course of injections into the affected veins.
The affected area must first be cooled, then a special solution must be injected, after which the vein narrows and the blood flow through it stops. The vein stops working, and the blood moves through other, healthy veins. This method should not be used during pregnancy.
If conservative treatment does not help get rid of the disease, if varicose veins progress too quickly or there is a threat to the patient’s life (risk of blood clots or exacerbation of thrombophlebitis), surgical treatment is required: standard phlebectomy, that is, removal of damaged veins through incisions in the skin or radiofrequency or laser coagulation of veins.
The latter methods are more popular because they do not require anesthesia and do not have the risk of complications. The essence of the method is that the veins are glued together under the influence of a laser or electrical discharges and filled with a special composition that completely closes the lumen of the vessels.
Treatment of varicose veins on the labia involves lifestyle changes. To reduce congestion, improve blood circulation, and reduce symptoms of the disease, you should select and wear compression garments.
Do not wear clothes with elastic bands that squeeze and disrupt blood flow. At the pharmacy you need to buy and wear special elastic tights, wrap your legs with elastic bandages, starting from the ankles upward.
You should avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Carefully monitor personal hygiene: daily contrast showers and caring for the genitals should become a rule for women.
In some cases, treatment of varicose veins of the labia may be ineffective. Untimely or incorrect treatment can lead to the following complications:
All these complications appear as a result of slowing blood flow, thinning of the walls of blood vessels and changes in blood clotting during pregnancy.
Most often, such complications are typical for difficult labor and cesarean section. The tactics of treatment and management of labor must be chosen by the doctor observing the patient.
Varicose veins are not a contraindication for pregnancy and childbirth, but sometimes pose a serious threat to the fetus and the pregnant woman herself, which can lead to miscarriage or even infertility. Varicose veins interfere with the proper development of the placenta; during childbirth, vascular rupture and internal hemorrhage may occur.
In addition, this condition causes psychological problems, which also interferes with the normal course of pregnancy.
When problems with the veins appear, a pregnant woman begins to worry about the question of whether it is possible to give birth with varicose veins of the labia. In an uncomplicated pregnancy, spontaneous childbirth is preferable; in order to prevent complications, the woman in labor needs to bandage her legs with an elastic bandage or wear compression garments.
Preliminary therapy is carried out to correct blood clotting.
Caesarean section is indicated in more complex cases, and the vessels are usually cauterized immediately. After childbirth, physiotherapeutic treatment with a magnet and laser is required.
In order to avoid the appearance of varicose veins, you should lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes a healthy diet that prevents constipation, as well as regular walking.
You should wear underwear made from natural fabrics, comfortable and loose. Regularly check blood clotting and undergo examinations with a gynecologist.
If you are predisposed to the appearance of varicose veins, you need to do special exercises for prevention, baths with sea salt, contrast showers, massage.
You need to completely give up bad habits.
It is especially important to monitor your lifestyle when planning a pregnancy. We should not forget that varicose veins of the labia and childbirth can pose a danger to the woman in labor and the fetus. But with proper management of pregnancy and qualified treatment, pregnancy and childbirth occur with virtually no complications.
In almost 30% of all pregnant women for the first time, the veins are affected by varicose veins, and by the third pregnancy this probability increases to 80%. The indicator is quite high, at first glance, but this is understandable, because pregnancy is a risk factor for the formation of varicose veins. There are other reasons why this condition develops.
Despite the widespread prevalence of the disease among expectant mothers, reasons for concern during exacerbation of varicose veins rarely arise. It is not a contraindication for bearing and giving birth to a child (with extremely rare exceptions of particularly severe conditions). The disease itself is not dangerous and, as a rule, does not require any special treatment. But it is a very serious risk factor for the development of thrombophlebitis, and this condition requires immediate medical attention.
In the vast majority of all cases, varicose veins during pregnancy form on the legs, but they can also develop in the groin, on the labia, in the vagina, in the rectum (as a result of which hemorrhoids form), and even on the uterus. Let's talk about varicose veins during pregnancy today in more detail.
Varicose veins are simply called varicose veins. This is a condition in which the venous veins (that is, those through which waste blood returns back to the heart) lose their elasticity and elasticity, as a result of which they become deformed: they stretch in length and width, enlarge and swell, “twist”, “braid” into nodes. With varicose veins, the valves that help move blood to the heart “fail,” the walls of the venous vessels become thinner and weaker, and all these factors together can lead to stagnation of blood in the veins.
As we have already said, varicose veins of the lower extremities most often form, and they are even classified as a separate disease. To imagine how and why varicose veins of the legs form, you should know that there are two systems of venous blood flow: deep (these are veins located deep) and superficial (consisting of veins located close to the skin). Both of these systems are connected to each other by small capillaries.
The main part of the waste blood is removed from the lower extremities to the heart through the deep veins located in the muscle tissue of the legs. When the vessels are stretched, blood that cannot be transported upward enters the superficial veins located in the subcutaneous tissue, and stagnation of venous blood forms in the legs, which bursts the veins from the inside. Therefore, signs of varicose veins during pregnancy are visible visually: the veins in the lower extremities swell, increase in size, and become deformed.
A very special condition is varicose veins of the uterus. It usually develops during reproductive age, and often just during pregnancy. There are even varicose veins of the cervix and ovary.
The whole complexity of the disease lies in the difficulty of diagnosing it, since there are no specific signs of manifestation of the disorder: all the symptoms are very similar to other gynecological diseases. You can suspect varicose veins of the uterus by the following signs: a woman feels pain in the lower abdomen (strong, intense, prolonged, which can be repeated frequently); the menstrual cycle is disrupted (it lengthens, as does the bleeding period itself, but the bleeding is scanty); a woman feels discomfort and pain during and after sexual intercourse. But during pregnancy, the described symptoms may not appear at all or may indicate a number of other disorders.
Varicose veins of the uterus during pregnancy very often develop in combination with varicose veins of the lower extremities, but the causes of their occurrence are somewhat different. Among them, gynecologists name the use of hormonal drugs, stagnation of blood in the ovarian vein, past abortions, pregnancy itself and complicated childbirth, pathologies of the venous valves, and inflammatory processes in the uterus.
Although varicose veins of the uterus during pregnancy are not a common occurrence, they carry certain risks and are difficult to treat even in non-pregnant women, and therefore a woman should be under the supervision of a phlebologist until the end of the pregnancy period. As a rule, treatment of varicose veins of the uterus is postponed to the postpartum period, and during pregnancy symptomatic therapy is carried out, including physical therapy, wearing compression garments and taking venotonics (drugs aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels).
Most likely, the woman will be offered a caesarean section. By the way, as the period increases, the likelihood of diagnosing varicose veins in a pregnant woman also increases.
It should be understood that varicose veins of the uterus and varicose veins of the small pelvis are completely different conditions. In the latter case, we are talking, as a rule, about the expansion of the venous veins on the labia.
Varicose veins on the labia in pregnant women are usually detected during examination in the gynecologist's chair, in contrast to varicose veins of the uterus, which are diagnosed only during an ultravaginal ultrasound.
With this type of varicose veins, the outer labia “swells” greatly: they swell, noticeably increase in size, and thickened, tortuous veins appear through the tissue. Painful discomfort may occur, particularly when visiting the toilet. This order of things seriously frightens many women, and there really are some risks in such a situation. In particular, there is a danger of rupture of the pudendal vein and bleeding.
But in most cases, varicose veins of the labia go away on their own after some time after childbirth. Therefore, here you need to listen to your doctor: he will make predictions and give further recommendations.
Vaginal varicose veins are much more dangerous during pregnancy. But if the disorder was detected in a timely manner, then, as a rule, there is no reason to worry when appropriate therapy is carried out. The only thing a woman should be prepared for is that the birth will probably have to be carried out by caesarean section. And here you should consult with several doctors: some of them believe that varicose veins of the genital organs are not a contraindication to natural childbirth with the only amendment that in this case, in no case should an incision be made in the perineum (and a possible spontaneous rupture usually occurs bypassing veins).
In the meantime, avoid tight underwear and tights. Thongs are generally prohibited!
Varicose veins during pregnancy are certainly an unpleasant phenomenon, but most often its only consequence is an aesthetic defect. There are often cases when varicose veins cause painful and uncomfortable sensations in the expectant mother, a feeling of fatigue, fullness of the legs, swelling (which usually disappears by morning), but it can also occur without these symptoms.
Varicose veins of the legs do not pose any danger to either the fetus or the pregnant woman. Vulvar and varicose veins of the labia carry the risk of rupture of the vein and the opening of severe bleeding, but the doctor makes the forecast.
However, dilation of the venous veins can cause the formation of thrombophlebitis, which is very dangerous. That is why varicose veins during pregnancy cannot be ignored and in any case should become a reason for serious prevention of thrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy is a fairly simple matter, since in most cases it does not involve the use of any medications or special therapeutic procedures. Many pregnant women, as soon as they hear this diagnosis at a doctor’s appointment, wonder how varicose veins can be treated with folk remedies. But there is no reason to worry about the fact that you will immediately be prescribed chemical medications. Blood-thinning drugs (most often Heparin) are prescribed to pregnant women only when thrombophlebitis is diagnosed or when a particular pregnant woman has a high potential risk of blood clots.
Meanwhile, pregnant women are often recommended to use ointments and gels externally for varicose veins. Not all of them are approved for use during pregnancy, and therefore you should never select the drug yourself. Most often used during pregnancy are Detralex, Lyoton 1000-gel, Fastum-gel, Diclofenac-gel, Ginkor-gel, Essavan-gel, Venoruton, Troxerutin.
It should be understood that all these drugs do not cure varicose veins, but only eliminate the symptoms of its expression: swelling and swelling of the veins, pain in the legs.
But, as in many other cases, in this case women also often prefer to turn to herbal medicine. Well, traditional medicine offers many recipes for the treatment of varicose veins. Just before using any of them, you should consult a doctor and take into account your body’s tolerance to certain components. So, we offer folk recipes to choose from - for external use in the form of compresses:
You can also prepare mixtures for rubbing into the skin:
There are folk recipes for the treatment of varicose veins, which involve the internal use of herbal infusions and decoctions. But they require especially careful use.
All treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women comes down to reducing the symptoms of its manifestation and preventing the development of a much more dangerous condition - thrombophlebitis, in which blood clots form, which is a high risk for both the mother and the unborn child.
We have already said that pregnancy is a risk factor for the formation of varicose veins. There are many reasons for this. The first of them is hormonal. Now, with the onset of pregnancy, progesterone is intensively produced in a woman’s body. If its level is higher than the accepted norm, then she will almost certainly have varicose veins. This is because progesterone receptors are located on the venous vessels, which respond to an increase in the level of this hormone in the blood plasma. In particular, the production of estrogen is suppressed, due to which the walls of blood vessels weaken, relax, expand - and varicose veins form.
The deterioration of blood flow in the venous vessels is also facilitated by the constantly growing uterus and fetus, which put pressure on all lower organs, including the veins. An additional risk factor is weight gain by a pregnant woman, especially if she becomes overweight. An increase in the amount of blood circulating in the pregnant woman’s body also plays a role. Chronic constipation is also a significant risk factor.
In addition, the physical activity and mobility of a pregnant woman is of great importance. The condition of the deep veins in the lower extremities largely depends on the activity of the surrounding muscle tissue. If the muscles are at work and contract all the time, then the veins will accordingly be stronger and more elastic. In this regard, doctors are increasingly trying to prescribe bed rest to pregnant women, since a recumbent (as well as a sedentary) lifestyle leads to the formation of varicose veins and, what is especially important and dangerous, thrombophlebitis. In order to prevent the formation of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, it is recommended to perform special exercises to stimulate blood circulation in the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities. A simple set of such exercises can be recommended to you by your doctor or trainer.
Doctors notice that with each subsequent pregnancy the likelihood of varicose veins increases more and more. Hereditary predisposition also plays a big role in the formation of varicose veins.
Doctors advise all pregnant women, and especially those diagnosed with varicose veins, to follow simple recommendations that can protect them from developing complications:
In general, if there is no predisposition to the formation of varicose veins and if the problem has not manifested itself before, with the onset of pregnancy it is quite possible to protect yourself from this trouble by carrying out prevention. But with each subsequent pregnancy, all risks will inexorably increase.
IMPORTANT to know: if you notice pronounced redness of a varicose vein, feel severe pain, increased body temperature, shortness of breath or an accelerated heartbeat, call an ambulance immediately!
But finally, I would like to say something reassuring and reassuring: in most cases, doctors tend to unjustifiably play it safe and once again intimidate their patients. Reviews on forums indicate that varicose veins during pregnancy do not pose any dangers and after childbirth disappear on their own or are successfully cured. But in this case you can’t make mistakes yourself: a lot depends on the correct lifestyle with varicose veins!